Family

Blending families can be difficult, but not entirely impossible.  With your new combined family comes new family dynamics, and these can cause some conflicts that need to be addressed.  You, your children, and your new spouse may have a lot of questions and…
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Befriending your stepchild for the first time is very significant. You may feel decidedly nervous with anticipation before greeting your stepchild which is to be expected. If this is your first experience of parenting, you will no doubt be looking…
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Achieving success in blending together two families that might have been blighted by the problems that have brought about the downfall and break-up of the previous family relationships that one or both of the new family partners may have experienced…
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Communication is the most important asset that families have, particularly when faced with the potential of blending different family members into a new family unit. The uncertainty that many children feel is natural, as they will have already experienced disruption…
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Everyone knows the response of a teenager will be very different than that of a two year old. When blending families everyone will feel some sort of emotions concerning the event. Children especially have an interesting take on the entire…
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Children are often seen as being very resilient and able to cope with change. This is not often the case. Children are placed on an emotional rollercoaster which asks them to deal with change on multiple levels. The younger children…
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Children are competitive, particularly when it comes to wanting to monopolise and/or gain the attention of an adult and indeed getting their own way in preference to other children. Competive rivalry is not bad as long as it remains within…
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A new blended family is, even for the new parents, uncharted territory. Having potentially come from the breakdown of a previous relationship neither will be quite sure how this new experience is going to work out. There will be doubts…
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Preparing children for change at any time is never easy and always requires a lot of support from the parent. However, when that change involves the move to a new blended family environment it preparing the child is even more…
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Every family, irrespective of its structure and make-up, will experience conflicts. However, unfortunately it can often seem that these issues are exacerbated within a blended family environment and there are several reasons for this, of which four can be considered…
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“Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger.”  Franklin P. Jones. No one enjoys being criticized. However, the only growth that someone experiences comes from change. Often-times, criticism can be one…
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Planning celebrations and holidays within a blended family environment is never going to be an easy issue to resolve and this is especially going to be the case when younger children are involved in either of both sides of the…
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The decision to remarry is not one that should be made on the fly. There are many factors to take into consideration before joining two families together. It may be slightly awkward or uncomfortable, but it is a good idea…
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Every woman desires to be a successful mother-in law. But human nature often makes that  proposition very difficult. The first thing you will need to remember is that your child has fallen in love with someone. Hopefully, it will be…
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Conflict is a part of any healthy relationship. They are particularly common in blended families. Dealing with these conflicts can be exhausting. However, here are a few tips that can make the process a little easier to bear. – Listen…
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Trust is an important aspect in any family. Trust must be present for all other foundational elements of a family to exist. Establishing this trust can be tricky for some, but it can also be carefully plotted out too. There…
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You want to be accepted by your new stepchildren. However, nothing you can do pleases them. You can  surely expect defiance. Your stepchildren will defy you at every opportunity they get. They will not accept you as an authority figure…
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Perhaps one of the most difficult issues that a new stepparent has to resolve when entering into a blended family situation is how to deal with the disciplining of a stepchild if and when the need arises. No doubt most…
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Raising teenagers is far more challenging than raising any other age group. This is true even if a parent has raised a child from birth to be respectful and compliant with rules and appropriate social behavior. Why? Because teenagers are…
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The pros and cons of being overprotective over your teenage daughter: Every father comes to terms with the fact that one day, his little girl will come of age and young men from all over will come flocking for a…
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Having an adult child who is reluctant to move out of your home can be a very trying situation. It places you in a very uncomfortable and difficult position. You must let your child know it is time to move…
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There are many support groups and assistance for single mothers with rowdy children. Sometimes a child that is considered rowdy may have a medical condition that needs attention. One medical condition  that can cause a child to become rowdy and can…
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You may love your partner, but your parents may not. Not all people go through this, but not surprisingly, it is an uncommon experience. For some people, their parents may be too picky about a potential daughter- or son-in-law. If…
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There should be one single goal in life and that is for parents to raise loving, well-adjusted and competent children.  The majority of their own parents want the same goal for their grandchildren. Grandparents are there for love and support. …
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Bullying is something that has been going on since I suspect the beginning of time and I suspect always will go on to some extent. I, myself, was bullied as a child. I was bullied because I was too skinny…
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Generally, I don’t think it should be necessary for a mother to mediate between adult children during conflict because adults ought to be able to resolve disputes without intervention from anyone else. However, a mother’s job is never done and…
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“The fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Many of us were raised listening to this old adage; saying in effect that we are locked into behavior that is determined by a combination of our genetic inheritance and the teachings…
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The child can have a vastly different viewpoint on their parents, depending on the age, context, and situation. When children are younger, the parent is likely to be the definitive authority on everything and the child will typically look up…
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Some names have been changed to protect the innocent… 6am – Alarm clock rings, baby is awake. Get up, nurse and change the baby. Make coffee. Wake husband. Wake Kid 1, 2 and 3. Pack lunches, pack bookbags, remember ice…
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My Parents, My Life Coaches From my very earliest memories, I can remember my mother consistently reminding me to sit up straight, say please, thank you, napkin in my lap, help clear and wash the dishes, behave at a home…
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